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Infrared Splicing for Rubber Gaskets

Infrared Splicing
Infrared Splicing

Infrared splicing provides a cost-effective alternative to rubber molding for larger gaskets. Plus, this innovative splicing technique is faster and more energy-efficient than hot splicing.

Infrared splicing uses infrared (IR) light and polyethylene (PE) film to join lengths of rubber into custom gaskets. A form of electromagnetic radiation, IR emits heat that melts or softens the film’s adhesive, which is typically acrylic. This permanent adhesive sticks to each length of rubber, and the film joins the two pieces together with strong, reliable bonds that resist water and weather. Applications for IR spliced gaskets include the rubber gate seals used in water treatment facilities.

How Infrared Splicing Works

Infrared splicing is a semi-automatic process that’s performed on a single-unit joining press. At Elasto Proxy, our IR splicing machine features a distance knife, infrared heating elements, splicing mold, foot pedal, and digital display. PE film is fed from a roll, cut with the knife, and heated with IR light. The infrared splicer that we use supports PE films with a width of 50, 60, or 70 mm and a thickness of 75 to 300 grams. Watch this YouTube video to see how our skilled production personnel create IR spliced gaskets. (more…)

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Rubber Gate Seals for Water Filtration Systems

Rubber Gate Seals from Elasto Proxy
Rubber Gate Seals from Elasto Proxy

In this case study, you’ll learn how Elasto Proxy provides complete sealing solutions to manufacturers of water filtration systems. Rubber gate seals start with seal design and compound selection, are crafted with water jet cutting and infrared splicing, and add value with inventory management and shipping.

In wastewater treatment plants, metal gates are bolted to concrete frames to control flow and channel the effluent for disinfection. To prevent leakage, a rubber seal is fitted to the bottom of the frame. This seal attaches to the gate with bolts, and must withstand prolonged exposure to water and contact with a concrete base. In water filtration systems that use ultraviolet (UV) light, UV resistance is essential.

When a manufacturer of water filtration systems wanted a custom gate seal, Elasto Proxy provided more than just a replacement part. First, our solutions providers listened to the manufacturer’s requirements and analyzed all of their needs. Our technical team then applied its expertise in compound selection, and identified a seal design that could solve the manufacturer’s specific sealing challenge.

Next, our skilled production personnel in Boisbriand, Quebec used water jet cutting and infrared (IR) splicing to craft a custom sealing solution. Yet that’s not where this case study ends. Today, Elasto Proxy stocks rubber gate seals for water filtration systems at our warehouse in Newmarket, Ontario. To meet our partner’s business requirements, we ship quantities according to their annual sales forecasts. (more…)

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Forestry Equipment Rubber Cab Parts

Rubber Cab Parts

In this case study, you’ll learn how Elasto Proxy used water jet cutting to fabricate cost-effective parts for forestry equipment. From prototyping to production, water jet cutting is meeting the requirements of a leading mobile equipment manufacturer.

Forestry equipment such as log skidders, feller bunchers, forwarders, delimbers, and harvesters are built for off-road conditions. Steep terrain, mud, and snow won’t stop these wheeled or tracked machines when they’re driven by skilled operators. Cab safety and comfort matters, too, and equipment owners recognize the importance of protecting personnel and machinery. That’s why when buyers compare forestry equipment, they reward manufacturers that meet demanding requirements.

The big diesel engines that power forestry equipment are loud, but dampening engine noise isn’t just about operator comfort. Noisy machinery can cause hearing loss, affect worker safety, and result in violations that carry fines and other penalties. Loud, unwanted noises can also affect buyer perceptions about equipment quality. Yet engine sounds aren’t the only reason for cab sealing and insulation. Mud or snow from an operator’s boots gets tracked into the cab, and water can pool or freeze on the floor. (more…)

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Plastic Parts for Hospital Beds Cut Costs, Promote Safety, Ensure Compliance

Plastic Parts for Hospital BedsIn this case study, you’ll learn how Elasto Proxy helped a manufacturer of hospital beds to reduce costs, promote patient safety, and meet regulatory requirements. By applying the power of our supply chain strength, Elasto Proxy provides plastic parts that replace metal ones.

Hospitals need to deliver high-quality healthcare while containing medical costs and meeting regulatory demands. For manufacturers of medical equipment, earning the trust of hospital administrators means meeting all of these requirements. This is especially true for hospital bed manufacturers, whose highly-engineered products are used by patients throughout their hospital stays.

Today’s hospital beds contain precise parts made of various materials. Metal parts are more expensive than plastic ones, and may be subject to corrosion. Metal components are also heavier, which increases product weight and shipping costs. Many hospital bed manufacturers would like to replace metal parts with plastic ones, but only if the new parts meet existing requirements for cost, quality, and compliance. (more…)

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Commercial Oven Seals

High Temperature SealsIn this case study, you’ll learn how Elasto Proxy helped a commercial oven manufacturer solve a sealing and insulation challenge. By applying our technical design, compound selection, and custom fabrication expertise, we provide high temperature seals for bakery and pizza ovens. How can we help you?

Commercial ovens don’t just need to achieve and maintain the proper cooking temperature. In busy environments such as sandwich shops, bakeries, pizzerias, and convenience stores, a commercial oven’s cooking speed and ease-of-use are also important. Oven door seals aren’t as bright and shiny as a brand-new stainless steel oven, but these rubber parts can shine brightly in their own way.

When a popular restaurant chain began toasting its sandwiches, a commercial oven manufacturer faced a challenge with high temperature seals for oven doors. The manufacturer’s oven contained a moveable tray that held sandwiches during cooking, but that caught on the door seal whenever a sandwich was removed. Eventually, the overlap between the rubber seal and the metal tray caused the oven seal to loosen. (more…)

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Military Vehicle Thermal Acoustic Insulation

 thermal acoustic insulationIn this case study, you’ll learn how Elasto Proxy applied its expertise in technical design, compound selection, and custom fabrication to replace the thermal acoustic insulation in the engine bays of military vehicles. How can we help you solve your sealing and insulation challenges? Contact us.

When a manufacturer of military vehicles isn’t satisfied with a product design, more than just the bottom line is at stake. For coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, armored fighting vehicles provide mission-critical force protection. Most military observers focus on features like the steel plating and the guns, but this type of vehicle won’t deploy anywhere without a big diesel engine under the hood.

In military vehicles such as armored personnel carriers, diesel engines run hot and loud. Without engine bay insulation, this heat and noise could put both the powerplant and military personnel at risk. Thermal acoustic insulation must also meet flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST) standards. In addition, engine bay insulation must withstand vehicle wash-downs and exposure to detergents and other cleaning chemicals. (more…)

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Rail Car Door Seals

Rubber Door SealsIn this case study, you’ll learn how Elasto Proxy applied its expertise in seal design, compound selection, custom fabrication and logistics to supply rubber door seals for passenger rail cars. How can we help you solve your sealing and insulation challenges?

Manufacturers of mobile equipment need to source rubber parts that meet all of their application and business requirements. When a manufacturer of mass transit vehicles needed to replace the door seals on passenger trains, Elasto Proxy applied its expertise in technical design, compound selection, custom fabrication, and logistics. In solving this sealing challenge, Elasto Proxy improved the original seal design and helped the mobile equipment manufacturer meet the urgent needs of an important customer.

As the rail car manufacturer explained to us, the existing seals on some passenger cars had become worn and were leaking. The manufacturer’s customer, a major passenger rail service in the Northeastern United States, wanted to solve this problem quickly. In turn, Elasto Proxy needed to create new door seals in less than two weeks and send them to Philadelphia for installation. Since the “test train” for these replacement seals would remain at the station for less than 24 hours, ease-of-installation was also important. (more…)

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Specialty Seals and Custom Insulation for 2016

2016What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2016? Do you plan to get fit, lose weight, make new friends, or make more money? Just as importantly, how will you achieve your goals?

Here at Elasto Proxy, we share your excitement about the New Year. Like you, we also understand that success requires careful planning and consistent execution. If you’re looking to learn about specialty seals and custom insulation, this is the place to start.

So how will the Elasto Proxy Blog inform and engage you in 2016? First, let’s take stock of where we are.  (more…)

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Dual Durometer Rubber for Reliable Attachment and Stronger Sealing

Dual Durometer RubberElasto Proxy Designs and Custom-Fabricates Dual Durometer Extrusions for Rubber Parts

Dual durometer extrusions are industrial rubber parts with different areas of hardness. Typically, the harder rubber compound is used for attachment while the softer rubber is used for sealing.  Sometimes, different rubbers are used because of design considerations such product color schemes or the use of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs).

By fabricating dual durometer rubber into a single part, a product such as window seal can have areas with different physical properties to meet application requirements. With window channels, the harder window rubber attaches to the window frame and the softer window rubber faces the glass window. Durometer is not limited to window seals, however, and is used with both sponge and solid profiles. (more…)

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